Image caption
William Shatner made his comments while joking about the Olympic torch relay

Star Trek actor William Shatner has apologised to a Devon town for saying it was "laced with prostitution".

Shatner, 81, made the comments on an edition of the BBC show Have I Got News for You.

Former Mayor of Ilfracombe Paul Crabb invited Shatner to the seaside town to show him "there is no prostitution in Ilfracombe".

Shatner replied: "My apologies for having singled out Ilfracombe as a potential haven for prostitution."

'Deeply sexual'

He made his comments in May as panellists discussed the town as a venue in the Olympic torch relay.

When he mispronounced the town's name, guest panellist Charlie Brooker said he had made it sound "deeply sexual" and Shatner replied: "The place is laced with prostitution."

We are a fairly good natured bunch down herePaul Crabb, Former Mayor of Ilfracombe

Builder Mr Crabb, 49, emailed Shatner's agents: "As Captain James T Kirk, Mr Shatner has been to places where no man has gone before, however, the episode of Have I Got News For You clearly shows he has never been to Ilfracombe.

"If he came, we could show him that there is no prostitution in Ilfracombe and that it is a lovely coastal town with spectacular scenery and a close community."

In an email signed "Bill", Shatner replied that prostitution "commonly means sex for something of value".

He added: "I would be hard pressed to believe that sex was not being had in Ilfracombe for something of value, perhaps a lengthy marriage, children or a valuable career.

"In any event, my apologies for having singled out Ilfracombe as a potential haven for prostitution. With you overseeing, I am sure that will not happen."

Mr Crabb said: "We are a fairly good natured bunch down here.

"I'm sure the vast majority of people took it as tongue in cheek humour, but there were some who were upset.